When God Says No

One request I have made to God has not been answered in the way I want.

It makes me feel like a small child who only gets to look through the window of a candy store pleading with their parent for the goodies inside.

You know how it is with young children—they whine and tirelessly ask again and again. I’m sure they are born with one mode: persistence overcomes resistance. How often do we give in, just for some peace and quiet?

Yet for nineteen or more years I have repeatedly asked the same question—well, more like whined to God. And his answer has always been “no.” I’m still waiting for it to be answered in a way that meets with my heart’s desire.

I’m not sure if young children question their parent’s love when they don’t get what they want. Yet, I’ve often at times disputed God’s love and seen his answer as rejection of me.

Then, I’ve chewed over whether I have asked with a lack of faith or with the wrong motives—that my request is selfish, or outside God’s plans. I’ve tied myself in knots in this way.

I want to move away from here. Please make it happen. I don’t want to live here anymore. I never really wanted to live here. I would be happier if we moved.

There is nothing wrong with where we live. But for me, it’s not home. I am a native of England, not New England.”

Moving back home seems appealing on the surface, but underneath I’m not completely certain. If it’s not what God wants for me, then I’m not sure I want it either.

There is a lot to like living in New England. I don’t specifically admit this to God. Instead, I add: Living somewhere else in the world would be better—anywhere but here.

Friends around me have come and gone. Our town is renown for people relocating there from other parts of the world. But our location remains firmly the same.

I never imagined living here for so long. When we had been in New England less than a year, I met another British woman on the playground. “How long have you lived here,” I enquired. “Ten years,” she replied. I nearly died. “If that were me,” I thought, “I’d swim the Atlantic.”

Circumstances do not allow us to leave New England. We are firmly stuck, as if in mud.

Your plans for me must be different from my own, I acknowledge reluctantly.

Scripture says they are better, but I only consider God stalling on my request.

If you want me to stay here, then you have to provide me with strength to do so. Yet, my heart is not in these words.

I ask for strength, but I would rather not have it.

Joseph, the Bible tells us, lived “stuck in Egypt” away from his homeland, and struggled to come to terms with his circumstances. He shed many tears. I know how he felt.

Yet, Joseph remained faithful to God. Eventually, he understood God’s plan for his life.

I consider my own meager faithfulness, and how disgruntled I get with God. I too, need to remain faithful to you, I pray, help me to see that you have a good plan. Give me wisdom and understanding.

God’s answer is still no to leaving New England. My children are off to college, scattered around the world, and we have a house with a “For Sale” sign outside. It’s been there since September.

You’d think at this point I would have learned a lesson, or given up. I do still occasionally pray about moving on. Yet, truthfully, I’m too scared to bring up the matter honestly with God, in case the answer continues to be no.

Now is the time to change that. I sense him asking me to yield my heart’s desire to him.

Where is God asking you to give up your heart’s desire?

UPDATE: Our house did eventually sell, and I got to move from New England. There are many lessons I have learned from my experience. Join me in my next series — Get Comfortable With Uncomfortable: Living Well Outside Your Comfort Zone.

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Discussion

It is so draining and difficult when God says no to something we hold so close. Clearly His plan involves your staying Rachel and I pray you see small glimpses of His purpose for you each day! Your willingness to share with others may be part of that purpose-keep following Him and sharing!

Oh yes, I’m glad he does want me to stay because I have some amazing and wonderful friends in New England who mean the world to me and who I want to stay connected to, and God has opened up some wonderful ministry opportunities for me so I can share with others. You’re right, Jill, even in the “no” I am seeing his purposes.

It’s so tough when God’s plan is different from ours and the answer is no to something we want so much. Even knowing his plan is for good it’s hard to accept when we can’t understand why. Praying that you know peace as you hand this over to him.

“Then, I’ve chewed over whether I have asked with a lack of faith or with the wrong motives—that my request is selfish, or outside God’s plans. I’ve tied myself in knots in this way.” Yes! And taking a lesson from my kids, I don’t always give them what they ask for, even when they ask nicely. It’s because I can see the bigger picture. Thanks for sharing from the tough stuff!

Rebecca Jones

I recently read about the promises of God being yes and we have to amen them. 1 Corinthians 1:20, I don’t think we are necessarily lacking faith or asking selfishly or even that is it a no, just, ” Not just yet. ” or ” I’m preparing you. ” I lived in Atlanta 35 yrs, I thought moving would be hard but it wasn’t and won’t be now should I move or travel, as long as he is with me. I hope that is something I can amen.

Rebecca Jones

Amy

My biggest request is for my daughter to return to God and my other daughter to become stronger in the faith. I’m not convinced that she has returned from her spiritual wanderings, but If she has, she hasn’t let go of Satan’s lies about what scripture says about certain things being right or wrong. And she suffers from depression. I wouldn’t care sbout the depression if she’d just be sold out to God. And I worry that my oldest isn’t really saved because her fruits are not showing otherwise.
Not to belittle anyone else’s unanswered prayers because whatever they are they are most important to them. But my unanswered prayers have eternal consequences and that is most upsetting.